What part of speech is "for"?

The word " for"  has two parts of speech:preposition and conjunction.

Explanation:

To determine the part of speech of "for",we have to know the types of parts of speech.Remember that there are eight types of parts of speech in English language.



These  parts of speech are noun,pronoun,verb,adverb,preposition, conjunction and interjection.Remember that determiners are a special type of adjective.

To find out the part of  speech of "for",we need to  remember that a single word in different sentences can functions as different parts of speech.



Now analyse the following example:

●Rahim found it very difficult to read,for his eyes were failing.



Explanation:

●Clause +Conjunction+ Clause.

●Clause=Sub.+Verb+Extension

●Rahim found it very difficult to read,for his eyes were failing.

Here,First clause=Rahim found it very difficult to read

Second Clause=his eyes were failing.

For=Conjunction=Because(meaning)

Since "for" is connecting two clauses, the part of speech of "for" is a conjunction here.

●Now we will take another example:


He will buy something for the new baby.


Explanation:
 Here "for" has been used as a preposition because it has a object which is a noun "baby" plus here "for" is making relation between two nouns.The first noun is baby and the second noun is something.

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Now consider the following example:

He will buy something for the new baby.




Explanation:

Structure of Noun Phrase:

●Determiner+ Adjective+Noun


=the new baby

Remember that every preposition must have a object which may be a noun,noun phrase or noun clause.

Structure of Prepositional Phrase:

●Preposition+Noun phrase

= for the new baby


Remember that a prepositional phrase can function as an adverb or adjective.

●He will buy something for the new baby.

In this sentence,"for the new baby" is a prepositional phrase from structural side but from the functional side," for the new baby" is an adjective prepositional phrase as it is modifying the  noun "something".






 

Conclusion: The word for has two parts of speech: a preposition, a conjunction.